Leeds Rhinos: JJB admits underlying problems will take “a while to solve”

Leeds Rhinos interim coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan has admitted there were “underlying problems” at the club, which will take a while to solve.

The Rhinos have lost six from seven matches in all competitions this season. Their latest came to rivals Castleford, who eased past them 40-16 at Headingley to knock them out of the Challenge Cup.

Richard Agar walked out on his role as head coach on Monday, with Jones-Buchanan taking over caretaker duties.

Rhinos legend Jones-Buchanan admitted there were underlying problems at the club, but wants the players to be more accountable.

He said: “Undeniably, the underlying problems will take a while to solve.

“There’s some habitual problems in there, some cultural ones, and just some people who haven’t been put under the blowtorch enough or the heat enough to perform at a level where they’re comfortable at being uncomfortable.

“You have to be able to do it physically when it’s tough. If you’re going to be undisciplined, if you’re going to keep giving penalties away and keep getting put in the sin bin, then you’ve got to be mentally and physically tough enough and resilient enough to be able to defend it out and we’re just not there yet.

“That will take a few weeks to fix up.

“(We want) more accountability and pressure on the players, but that isn’t some sort of tyranny either.

“That’s got to come from them. I’m trying to get them to show a bit more gratitude to each other. I’m not losing heart, I’m not losing faith. I am up for the fight.”

Next up for the Rhinos is a Super League clash with champions St Helens at Headingley on next Friday.

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